Clinton calls up Zardari to discuss regional situation

With the Obama administration concerned about the grave threat posed by terrorists in Pakistan and Afghanistan to global security, the new US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has called up president Asif Ali Zardari and discussed the situation in the region.

Clinton spoke to Zardari to share with him the vision of the new US administration and to inform him about the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as Washington's special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

During the brief telephone conversation on Thursday night, Clinton discussed with Zardari the situation in the region and the Pakistan-US relations. She also spoke on the Obama administration's policies towards Pakistan and the region.

Clinton informed Zardari about the appointment of Holbrooke as a "special representative to coordinate the US government's efforts in our region", the Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement on Friday.

The statement did not say whether the two leaders discussed the Indo-Pak ties in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.

The Clinton-Zardari telephonic talk came as US president Barack Obama warned that the terrorists in Pakistan and Afghanistan posed a grave threat to the global security and said the two countries would be tackled as a single problem
under a wider strategy.

Zardari and Clinton agreed that the bilateral ties, which have "continued to expand in all facets over the years, would be further strengthened by the new democratic governments in Pakistan and the US", state-run APP news agency reported.

Welcoming the appointment of Holbrooke, the Foreign Office spokesman said Pakistan looked forward to "enhanced and fruitful engagement with the special envoy to further the cause of peace and stability of the region".

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Clinton told Zardari that the US would like to cooperate with Pakistan and Afghanistan in eradicating terrorism from the region.

Zardari congratulated Clinton on assuming her new post and welcomed Obama's desire to seek "a new way forward" with the Muslim world. This new path, based on mutual respect and interest, was inspiring, he said.

He also said the US, along with other international players, has an important responsibility to work on new initiatives for peace, progress and prosperity in the times ahead.

Meanwhile, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Islamabad wants to hold a meaningful dialogue with the new US administration to draw up a strategy to counter extremism and terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Welcoming the Obama administration's decision to increase economic aid to Pakistan, Qureshi told BBC this indicated the desire of the US to have strong and deep relations with the country.

He said ensuring peace and stability in the tribal areas is in Pakistan's own interest and the government is striving to improve the security environment in the region.

He emphasised the need to adopt a regional approach, saying the "Obama administration is in agreement with us on our regional approach".

Pakistan and all forces and stakeholders in the region will have to work jointly to address the security issue, Qureshi said.

"We want people's ownership of the fight against extremism and terrorism to minimize the alienation caused by attacks," he said.